Many parishes are embracing Stewardship at a moderate pace, but without Stewardship, we would not be able to support Christ’s Church and the many ministries it provides. Our opportunity for salvation and eternal life is given by God through the death of His Son for our sins.

As our faith spread in the early days of Christianity, Jesus selected Apostles to do His work and spread the faith as He realized that more could be done with a larger group. First twelve, then 70 and then thousands. We read this in our Bible and the many Scriptures related to the Stewards who supported our faith by helping the Apostles… they provided a meal, opened up their homes, gave clothing, poured a drink of water and tended to those who were ill. Stewardship is not new but has been practiced for over 2,000 years and continues to be the best example of our unconditional love for God and His Church.

God has never and will never turn His back on us – our salvation is possible through the Church and its Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and Holy Confession. Let us not turn our backs on our Church but fully support it so that we all can do His work while here on earth.

We can’t emphasize enough the funds necessary to support the Church (and yes, the topic of money and financial support does come up often), however, we all must ask where does everything we depend on within our parish come from? The Sacramental Wine, olive oil for the vigil lights, electricity for air conditioning in the summer, children’s activities throughout the year, cleaning services to beautify the Church, heating during the cold winter months, the gas and utensils necessary to support the activities in the kitchen – all of the items and functions that we know will be there for us to partake in and enjoy when we come to Church on Sunday or for that special service or celebration of a Saint.

Once again, we really must focus on our support so that the many ministries the Church provides can continue.